Combination runway and brooder



July l5, 1941. c.- J. LAwLEss 2,249,295

' COMBINATION RUNWAY ANI) BROODER md March a, 1940 Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES ENT oFFlc-fEf 3 Claims.

This invention relates to chicken runways, and more particularly to a combination runway and brooder, having as its main object the provision of an inexpensive runway and hen heat brooder that protects the chicks from all bird and animal enemies. The cover is provided with regulating means so that the chickens may have a warm shelter` in winter and cool one in summer. Furthermore, the device is so constructed that it is easy to clean, and because of its light weight, it may be readily carried.

'I'he above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in the accompanying drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device, with the cover closed.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, but showing the cover in raised position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

The invention comprises essentially a runway having one end completely enclosed with wire mesh and the other end sheltered yby a hinged cover which forms a brooding section. The rear ends of the side walls of the runway are of metal and each end is provided with a pivoted door. The hinged cover is also provided with doors which are adapted to align with the outer doors when the cover is in closed or lowered position. The entrance may be divided so that the chicks may leave the runway and brooder, and the hen is kept inside when the door is open. When closed or lowered, the cover provides a warm brooding enclosure, and when raised it allows air to circulate in the brooding section and sunlight to enter, yet keeping out chicken enemies. A divided opening permits the chicks to pass freely from the runway to the brooder but prevents the hen from leaving the brooder.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral I indicates the runway section and the numeral 2 the brooder section. The former is partially enclosed by wire mesh 3 4and the latter is enclosed by metal cover, shown at 4. The end of the runway section I is provided with triangular metal side walls 5 and a `solid bottom 6. Rivets or the like 'l secure the wire mesh to the side walls.

The cover 4 is hinged at 8 to the bottom 6, and the forward wall of the cover is provided With an opening 9 divided by a wire I0, which permits the chicks to enter the runway but bars entrance of the hens to the runway when the cover is closed. VWires II are strung across the top of the inside of the cover 4 *to support heatretaining fabric I2. A handle I3, secured to the cover 4, permits convenient carrying of the device, and a lug I4 supports the cover 4 in fully raised or open position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.

Each end wall 5 has a divided opening I5 closed by pivoted doors I6, and the cover 4 is provided with doors Il which are adapted to align with the doors I6 when the cover is in they lowered position shown in Figure l. The cover is held in any one of a number of raised positions by means of a removable pin 20 which passes through aligning openings I8 and I9 in the cover and end wall 5, there being provided a number of openings I8 in the end wall 5 permitting the cover to be maintained in various adjusted positions.

It is thus apparent that a practical and ecient runway and brooder has been provided, which is both safe and economical. It is also sanitary in that, since it may be built entirely of metal, it may be easily and quickly cleaned or sterilized by placing some hay or paper therein and igniting it. A similar runway, but of larger dimensions, may be used for sows, pigs, lambs, etc.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a base having a runway section thereon, said base extending beyond the edge of said runway section and having a cover hinged to the outer end of said base, extension side walls extending from said runway along the lateral edges of said extension of said base to said outer edge, that side of said runway facing said base extension being open, said cover in closed position resting on said base and having a doorway in the wall thereof opposite said hinge, a door in one of said side walls and a door in the adjacent side wall if said cover, said last-named doors being adapted to align when the cover is in said closed position.

2. A device of the class described comprising a base having a runway section thereon, said base extending beyond the edge of said runway section and having a cover hinged to the outer end of said base, extension side walls extendingl from said runway along the lateral edges of said extension of said base to said outer edge, that v side of said runway facing said base extension being open, said cover in closed position resting on said base and having a doorway in the wall thereof opposite said hinge, a door in one of said side walls and a door in the adjacent side wall of said cover, said last-named doors being adapted to align when the cover i-s in said closed position, and a lug on said cover near the hinged end thereof adapted to support said cover in open position.

3. A device of the class described comprising a base having -a runway section thereon, said base extending beyond the edge of said runway section and having a cover hinged to the outer end of said base, extension side walls extending from said runway along the lateral edges of said extension of said base to said outer edge, that side of said runway facing said base extension being open, said cover in closed position resting on said base and having a doorway in the wall thereof opposite said hinge, a door in one of'said side Walls and a door in the adjacent side wall of said cover, said last-named doors being adapted to align when the cover is in said closed position, and a lug on said cover near the hinged end thereof adapted to support said cover in open position, and means for supporting said cover in intermediate positions between said open and said closed positions.

CHRISTOPHER J. LAWLESS. 

